When the competitor has any part of his uniform ripped during the competition, the referee will give him 5 minutes to change it. If the competitor does not change it in time, he will be disqualified.

The competitor must wear under garments under the shorts/pants, keeping in mind the risk that the suit might become torn or undone. In the case that pants are torn, athlete will be given 5 minutes to find another pair of pants to wear. If the athlete cannot change within 5 minutes, he will be immediately disqualified.

If an athlete does not meet any of the standards for equipment or uniform, he will be given 5 minutes to change. If he cannot meet the equipment and uniform standards within those 5 minutes then he will be disqualified.

Athletes must compete in the uniform they wore when they weighed in. Should the athlete weigh in with one uniform but then change into another before their first competition or between their competitions, he will be disqualified.

Wrestling shoes, or any shoes, socks, cups and head gear will not be permitted. Any brace or piece of protective equipment that may alter the outcome of the match may not be worn. This includes but is not limited to braces with metal parts and supports that provide extra grip against the mat. Competitor is recommended to wear shoes, sandals, or slippers when off the competition area to avoid injury on feet.

In order to standardize the effects of the uniform competition, all male competitors are not allowed to wear T- shirts, rash guards, etc. underneath the gi. All female competitors are not allowed to wear t-shirts and are required to wear rash guards, sports bras, or an equivalent garment underneath their gi.

Uniform Regulations for Gi Tournaments

Gi’s are to be constructed of cotton or similar material and in good condition. The material may not be excessively thick or stiff to the point where it will hinder the opponent from executing a submission. The gi top must be made of single weave, gold weave, double weave or a similar weight material.

Colors may be black, white or royal blue. No combined colors will be allowed (e.g. white gi with blue pants or a white gi with black lapels).

The jacket is to be of sufficient length, down to the pelvis. The sleeves must reach a point no more than 8cm back from the wrist when the arms are extended in front of the body. When the arms are held out to the sides, level to the shoulders, the material of the sleeves must have at least 7cm of slack along the length of the arm. The lapel of the jacket must be 4-5cm wide and less than 1.3cm thick.

A belt with width of 4-5cm and color corresponding to rank tied around the waist with a double knot, tight enough to secure the gi closed.

The pants are to be tied securely at the waist above the buttocks. If they are grabbed and pulled down, they should remain affixed where they are secured at the waist. They must be of appropriate length, reaching a point no more than 8cm up from the ankle. When the athlete is standing, the material of the pants must have at least 5cm of slack along the length of the leg.

Athletes are not permitted to compete with any part of the uniform torn.

Patches and embroidery may be securely affixed only in proscribed areas on the gi that does not impede regular gripping of the gi. Any patches with unfixed edges or tears must be removed.

Patch Regulations for the Gi

See the image below for the permitted areas of the Gi for use of patches and sponsorship. Additional information on patches on p. 15 of the Rule Book.

Uniform Inspectors

Athlete’s equipment and uniforms will be checked by an SJJIF official immediately before they step on the scales to weigh in.

There will be an official whose title is “Inspector” who will be stationed where athletes are weighed in. His duties will be to verify that the competitors’ nails are trimmed, the gi is correctly fitted using the official SJJIF measuring tool and that the color of the gi and the condition of the belt is appropriate for the competition.

The size of the tool

– Total Height of Measuring Tool – 15 cm

– Width of Measuring Tool – 3.5 cm

– Depth to Mark – 5.0 cm

– Gi lapel width Interior Width – 1.5 cm

– Gi lapel thickness Depth to End of Measuring Gap – 7.0 cm

– Gi sleeve opening at full extension

Regulations for No Gi Tournaments

The shorts and rash guards can be of any color but they must be free of zippers and pockets. The rash guard (Lycra shirt) may not be sleeveless. It may have short sleeves or long sleeves but it cannot be without sleeves. Rash guard must be fitted.

Shorts may be a loose board-like short or tight like vale-tudo shorts as long as they are at least mid thigh length. Lycra pants may pass THE KNEE.

The shorts are to be tied securely at the waist, above the buttocks. If they are grabbed and pulled down, they should remain affixed where they are secured at the waist.

Athletes are not permitted to compete with torn shorts or torn rash guards. Patches and embroidery may be securely affixed in any place on the shorts or rash guard. Any patches with unfixed edges or tears must be removed.

Hygiene Requirements

Competitors must meet the following regulations or they may be disqualified. Their uniform must be washed, dry, and free of unpleasant odor. Competitor’s toenails and fingernails must be kept short, clean and free from sharp edges or jaggedness. Individuals with long hair must secure it so that it will not interfere with their performance or that of their opponent during a match.

Competitors may not use makeup, hair spray/dye, or any other substance that will come off onto their own gi, the mats or onto their opponent.

Any individual with a transmittable disease, viral, bacterial or fungal, will not be allowed to compete. An individual with an uncovered cut, sore, rash, wound or lesion will not be allowed to compete. Individuals with cuts, sores, rashes, wounds or lesions that are bandaged may be allowed to compete at the discretion of the medic and tournament officials.